Splash Guard for Toilet Seat

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a splash guard that can be permanently or removably attached to a toilet seat. The splash guard includes an elongated, rectangular panel that can be secured to the underside of a toilet seat about the opening thereof. The panel is flexible so that it may be curved similarly to the opening of the toilet seat. The panel further includes an upper edge having an adhesive thereon that can be secured to the underside of the toilet seat so that the panel is perpendicular thereto. The upper edge may further include a flange thereon to provide additional surface area for securing the panel to a toilet seat. When installed, the panel extends downward into the toilet bowl and serves to deflect splashed liquid from within the toilet bowl so as to prevent the liquid from escaping the toilet bowl through the gap between the toilet bowl and toilet seat.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/968,508 filed on Mar. 21, 2014, entitled “Toilet Seat Splash Guard.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a splash guard for a toilet seat. More specifically, the present invention provides a flexible, elongated panel having an upper edge that can be permanently or removably secured around the opening of a toilet seat on the underside thereof. The panel is perpendicular to the toilet seat and extends outward therefrom so as to deflect any liquid that splashes upward from the toilet bowl in order to prevent the liquid from escaping the toilet bowl through the gap between the toilet seat and toilet bowl.

When an individual is urinating into a toilet, liquid within the toilet bowl can splash, causing the liquid to contact the toilet seat, run down the front of the toilet, or otherwise escape the toilet bowl. As a result, germs and bacteria may contaminate the toilet seat and the surrounding area of the toilet, such as the floor, bath mats, and toiletries or other items nearby. Further, splashed urine may create an unpleasant odor.

Splashed liquid from the toilet creates an unsanitary environment, and requires that the toilet and surrounding area be thoroughly cleaned. However, cleaning a toilet is a laborious and unpleasant task. Thus, a device that helps to prevent liquid from splashing out of a toilet bowl and contaminating the toilet and other surfaces is desired in order to improve the cleanliness of a bathroom and to reduce the need to clean splashed liquid from a toilet.

The present invention provides a splash guard for a toilet seat that can be permanently or removably affixed to a toilet seat. The splash guard includes an elongated, preferably rectangular, panel. The panel includes an upper edge that is secured to the underside of a toilet seat, about the perimeter of the opening on the toilet seat. In some embodiments, the upper edge of the panel includes a flange thereon for providing a greater contact surface with the toilet seat. The upper edge includes an adhesive thereon for securing the panel to the underside of the toilet seat. In some embodiments, the splash guard is integrally formed with a toilet seat such that the toilet seat and splash guard are a single unit. The splash guard is perpendicular to the toilet seat when installed thereon, and extends downward into the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is down. Thus, the present invention helps to deflect liquid splashed from the toilet bowl so as to prevent the liquid from escaping the toilet bowl in the space between the toilet seat and toilet bowl. Further, the splash guard helps to maintain proper positioning of the toilet seat on the toilet bowl by preventing the toilet seat from shifting to one side of the toilet bowl. If the toilet seat shifts to one side of the bowl, the elongated panel would contact an interior side of the toilet bowl, preventing the toilet seat from shifting further to one side of the toilet.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to splash guards for toilets. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to splash guards adapted to be secured to toilet seats to prevent liquid within the toilet bowl from splashing and escaping the toilet. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

One such device, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2013/0219604 to Gregg discloses a urine barrier for a toilet seat. The device provides a barrier on the underside of the toilet seat that prevents urine from escaping a toilet in the space between a toilet bowl and toilet seat. Thus, Gregg fails to disclose a splash guard that can be secured about the opening of a toilet seat and that extends downward into the toilet bowl, and instead discloses a barrier to be positioned in the space in the front of a toilet between the toilet seat and toilet bowl.

Another device, U.S. Published Patent Application Publication Number 2009/0260142 to Fahmie discloses a toilet seat having a urine shield adapted to block urine from exiting the toilet through the gap between the toilet seat and bowl. The toilet seat includes a flange on the front portion thereof that projects into the toilet bowl and blocks the gap formed between the toilet seat and bowl. Thus, Fahmie fails to disclose an elongated panel that can be adhesively secured to a toilet seat about the opening thereon, and discloses only a one-piece toilet seat having a shield thereon for preventing liquid from escaping the toilet through the gap between a toilet seat and bowl.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,527 to Truettner discloses a urine shield that prevents urine from escaping a toilet bowl through the gap between a toilet seat and a toilet bowl. The device includes a curved portion that extends downward from the toilet seat and blocks the gap on the front end of the toilet. Thus, Truettner discloses a shield for blocking the space between a toilet seat and toilet bowl, and does not disclose a panel that can be removably secured around the opening of a toilet seat and further shields the side portions of the toilet seat in order to prevent liquid from escaping the toilet.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,602 to Brickhouse discloses a urine deflector that can be installed on a toilet seat. The device includes a sheet of flexible material having hook and loop fasteners thereon for securing the device to a toilet seat. The device is secured to a front portion of a toilet seat and extends downward into a toilet bowl and upward above the toilet bowl. Thus, while Brickhouse discloses a urine deflector, Brickhouse does not disclose a splash guard attached to the underside of a toilet seat and about the perimeter of the opening thereon. Further, the device of Brickhouse consumes substantial space on the toilet seat, and prevents a user from sitting down on the toilet seat while the device is installed thereon.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. Devices in the prior art generally disclose urine shields for preventing urine from escaping the toilet bowl through the gap between the toilet seat and bowl. Such urine shields have various constructions and are attached to the underside of a toilet seat. However, these devices are not removably securable about the opening of the toilet seat, and do not prevent liquid from escaping from the sides of the toilet bowl. The urine shields in the prior art only prevent urine from escaping from the front portion of a toilet. Thus, the devices in the prior art fail to provide a splash guard removably securable to a toilet seat that prevents liquid from escaping from the toilet bowl from the front or sides of the toilet.

In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing toilet seat splash guard devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toilet seat splash guards now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new toilet seat splash guard wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when preventing liquid from within a toilet bowl from escaping the toilet through the space between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toilet seat splash guard device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat splash guard that can be integrally formed with a conventional toilet seat about the opening thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat splash guard that can be removably secured to a conventional toilet seat about the opening thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat splash guard that can be adhesively secured to a toilet seat.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat splash guard that is flexible so as to conform to the opening of various toilet seats.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat splash guard that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet seat splash guard of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a toilet seat splash guard of the present invention as secured to a toilet seat.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet seat splash guard of the present invention as disposed within a toilet.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a toilet seat having the splash guard integrally formed therewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the toilet seat splash guard. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for preventing liquid from within a toilet bowl from escaping the toilet. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet seat splash guard of the present invention. The toilet seat splash guard 11 comprises an elongated panel 12 having a first end 13 and a second end 14. The elongated panel 12 is preferably substantially rectangular such that the width of the panel 12 is constant along the length thereof. The elongated panel 12 is preferably composed of a plastic material that is flexible and that can be easily cleaned. In some embodiments, the elongated panel 12 may be resistant to staining or may be antimicrobial. The elongated panel 12 may comprise a U-shape, or may be flexible so that a user can bend the elongated panel 12 similarly to the curvature of the opening on a toilet seat.

The elongated panel 12 further includes an upper edge 15 and a lower edge 16. The upper edge 15 includes a flange 19 thereon that extends outwardly therefrom. The flange 19 is preferably of constant width along the length thereof. The flange 19 provides additional surface area for securing the panel 12 to the toilet seat. The upper edge 15 of the panel 12 and the flange 19 include an adhesive thereon for securing to the underside of a toilet seat. Accordingly, the upper edge 15 and flange 19 are adapted to be positioned flush against the underside of a toilet seat to secure the splash guard 11 thereto. The adhesive is preferably covered by a removable backing 17 that protects the adhesive until it is desired to be used.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of a toilet seat splash guard of the present invention as secured to a toilet seat. The upper edge 15 of the elongated panel 12 and the flange 19 thereon can be secured around the perimeter 18 of the opening 21 of a toilet seat 20 on the underside thereof. The adhesive on the upper edge 15 can be pressed directly against the underside of the toilet seat 20 in order to secure the elongated panel 12 thereon.

The splash guard 11 is preferably positioned so as to be curved similar to the opening 21 of the toilet seat 20. Thus, the elongated panel 12 preferably comprises a U-shape. The elongated panel 12 is preferably positioned so that the elongated panel 12 extends along the sides and front of the toilet bowl. Thus, the first 13 and second ends 14 of the elongated panel 12 are positioned near the rear of the toilet seat 20 on the portion of the toilet seat 20 adjacent the hinge. The splash guard 11 is positioned so that it does not contact the toilet bowl when the toilet seat 20 is in a lowered position. Thus, the toilet seat 20 can be used in the conventional manner while the splash guard 11 is installed thereon.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet seat splash guard 11 of the present invention as disposed within a toilet. Once secured to a toilet seat 20 about the perimeter 18 of the opening 21 thereof, the elongated panel 12 extends perpendicular from the toilet seat 20. Further, the elongated panel 12 extends downward into the toilet bowl so as to serve as a barrier. In this way, the elongated panel 12 blocks the gap created between the toilet seat 20 and the toilet bowl when the toilet seat 20 is in a down position. This helps to deflect urine or other liquid that splashes from the toilet bowl so as to prevent the liquid from escaping the toilet 25. Additionally, since the elongated panel 12 extends downward into the interior of the toilet bowl, the elongated panel 12 serves to maintain the proper positioning of the toilet seat. If the toilet seat were to shift towards one side of the toilet bowl, the elongated panel 12 would contact the side of interior of the toilet bowl, preventing the toilet seat from further movement towards the side of the toilet bowl.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of a toilet seat having the splash guard integrally formed therewith. The toilet seat 31 comprises an annular member 30 with a central opening 36. The upper surface of the annular member 30 is constructed to provide a surface on which a user can be seated. The underside of the toilet seat 31 includes a downwardly extending panel 35 thereon which serves as a splash guard. The panel 35 extends perpendicular to the annular member 30 and is disposed about the perimeter 38 of the opening 36 thereon. Preferably, the panel 35 is disposed on the front and side portions of the opening 36 of the toilet seat 31. The panel 35 preferably includes a substantially constant width. Further, the panel 35 extends outward from the toilet seat 31 so as to serve as a barrier to deflect urine. It is contemplated that the panel 35 may be composed of the same material as that of the annular member 30 to provide a unitary appearance and structure.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A toilet seat splash guard, comprising: an elongated panel having an upper edge and a lower edge; wherein said upper edge comprises an outwardly extending flange thereon; wherein said upper edge comprises an adhesive thereon adapted to be secured to the underside of a toilet seat about an opening thereof such that said elongated panel is substantially perpendicular to said toilet seat. 2) The toilet seat splash guard of claim 1, wherein said elongated panel comprises a U-shape. 3) The toilet seat splash guard of claim 1, wherein said elongated panel is flexible such that it can be curved similarly to a perimeter of said opening of said toilet seat. 4) The toilet seat splash guard of claim 1, wherein said elongated panel is substantially rectangular. 5) A toilet seat having a splash guard, comprising: a toilet seat comprising an annular member having a central opening; an elongated panel integrally formed with said annular member; wherein said elongated panel extends downward from an underside of said annular member and is perpendicular thereto; wherein said elongated panel is disposed about a perimeter of said central opening. 6) The toilet seat of claim 5, wherein said elongated panel is substantially rectangular in shape. 7) The toilet seat of claim 5, wherein said elongated panel is curved similarly to said central opening on said annular member. 